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126 soldiers return home to White Sands

By Steve Ramirez \ las cruces sun-news

Posted:
04/09/2013 12:00:00 AM MDT

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE -- To a loud and rowdy crowd of family members, friends, well-wishers and fellow soldiers, 126 soldiers with the 573rd Clearance Company returned Monday to White Sands Missile Range from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they cleared routes for coalition forces.

"It feels great," said Spc. James Whatley. "It (the deployment) was not at all what I expected. There were a lot of senior officers, a lot of people who told us what it could be like, but it turned out to be nothing like what they said it would be."

Whatley, 20, said this deployment was obviously bittersweet. Just weeks before the soldiers' return, 23-year-old Sgt. Tristan Wade was killed in action March 22. With Wade's death still fresh on the minds of soldiers, their families and friends and WSMR officials, Monday's welcome-home celebration was somewhat subdued.

"It was really rough at times, especially at the end," said Whatley, of his first deployment. "I didn't know him (Wade) well, but still, we lost one of our own and that is not good. It was hard on everyone."

Brothers in arms took on a literal meaning in combat. Two soldiers in the 573rd Clearance Company, Spc. Robert Martin, 23, and Rashaldo Martin, 22, provided a special homecoming for their mother, Sandra Martin, of Belle Glade, Fla., and their best friend, Sgt. Bryan Watson, who is stationed at Fort Bliss.

"Both them coming home relieves a lot of stress," Sandra Martin said. "É But it had to be a little easier on both of them. They had each other to rely on, and I know that helped. For me, I just had to keep the faith, trust in God."

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Missing a comrade

Martin added, the loss of Wade is something all of the soldiers in the company, and their families, will have a hard time dealing with.

"For that young man to lose his life, it's hit me hard," said Martin, of Wade. "My son was on the same mission with (Wade)."

Watson said he felt "blessed" to be able to welcome his best friends home.

"It's hard, knowing your best friends, someone you've known since the sixth grade, is over there," said Watson, who has been on deployment to Afghanistan himself. "But I'm so proud of both of them, so proud. They did what they had to do over there."

Rashaldo Martin said even though he is safe at home, his second deployment wasn't any easier than the first.

"No, it never gets easier, especially leaving family," said Martin, who will be getting out of the Army in a few weeks. "It was good, great, having my brother there with me. It definitely helped having someone to relate to."

But Robert Martin has re-enlisted in the Army and said he hopes to make it his career. He accepted the realization there could be future deployments.

"I hope the world doesn't go crazy," he said. "But as long as I can provide for my family I don't mind (going on possible future deployments)."

Pfc. Zechariah Green, 21, also completed his first deployment on Monday. Life has been a whirlwind for himÊ-- he had just completed boot camp when he received his deployment orders. Monday's hoopla caught him by surprise.

"It's all kind of surreal but it's real exciting," said Green, as he watched all of the commotion around him. "It was a little rough (on deployment), but it wasn't the worst I've ever been through."

Poignant moment

Technical difficulties at Monday's welcome-home ceremony led to perhaps the most poignant moment. During the playing of the national anthem, with the soldiers standing at attention and saluting, the music suddenly stopped. But rather than stand there in complete silence, the standing-room-only crowd picked up right where the music left off, and people sang about half of the Star Spangled Banner a cappella. As they finished the last notes, the crowd erupted in a frenzy of cheers.

Steve Ramirez can be reached at 575-541-5452. Follow him on Twitter @SteveRamirez6